Disposable autographic register

ABSTRACT

An autographic register is formed of only three molded, plastic elements at such low cost that it can be sold with a pack of register forms and thrown away when the forms are exhausted. A tray element contains the pack, a cover element contains the writing opening, and a partition element includes an unyieldable writing platen, beneath the writing opening, and an integral, hinge-pivoted, release tongue containing the usual register pins for individual and successive dispensing of the forms. The release tongue is separated by axially extending slits from the platen but connected thereto along a transverse web of the platen material, the web forming the hinge pivot line.

Patented Aug. 3, 1971 2 Shoots-Sheet 1 5N ....mmwg

Patented Aug.. .3, 1971 2 Sheets-Shont 2 Fig. 4.

I.\\'I.\' l )H RAYMOND D. BROWN DISSABILIE AIJTOGMAPIIIIC REGISTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Autographic registers are well known and relatively costly, in that the conventional types have many parts, including nylon rolls, metal partitions, plastic register pins, complicated linkage and thick plastic casings. In general, such registers are too costly to throw away and are retained by the purchaser, who must purchase and insert refill packs of continuous sets of register forms. Such registers have been costly to manufacture becauseof the numerous parts associated with the floating carbon paper mechanism and the numerous parts associated with the depressable register pin mechanism.

A register of such low cost that it can be used to store and ship a pack of forms and discarded after a single use would be most desirable, and such a register is proposed in U. S. Pat. No. 1,999,535 to Brenn of Apr. 30, 1935. However, the device was mainly of paperboard with numerous movable metal attachments, and the one part which is usually desirable to be movable, namely, the register pins, is xed, so that the form must be moved off the pins.

A low cost register of plastic, having only two parts, is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,142,497 to Hook of July 28, 1964, but in the effort to achieve fewer parts, the device becomes unusually high. In addition, the register pins are part of the writing platen, so that there is nothing to keep the form horizontal while the pins are depressed. The form therefore tends to depress with the pins, thereby failing to release, and the yieldability of the entire writing table is undesirable when the operator is inscribing a form.

Registers having platens to which a separate spring metal tongue has been attached, the tongue having register pins, are disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 1,953,411 to Jensen of Apr. 3, 1934 and U. S. Pat. No. 2,187,698 to Brenn of Jan. 16, 1940, while hand lever actuated, separate, pivoted register pin tongues are disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 1,589,223 to Pratt ofJune 15, 1926 and U.`S. Pat. No. 1,873,489 to Schroeder of Aug. 23, 1932.

SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTION ln this invention, a disposable, low cost autographic register is achieved, in which only three parts are required, but in which the writing platen is firmly supported and the register pin tongue is an integral part thereof but resiliently bendable therefrom to positively release the forms when depressed. All of the parts are easily molded of thin sheet plastic, with integral, bendable, latches, or tongues, for connecting the onepiece cover to the one-piece tray. The one-piece partition is molded with'a down-bent rearward portion having a terminal, transverse, bead in place of the conventional roller and having integral upstanding register pins of substantial height at the forward portion. In addition, the forward portion is bent downwardly, or concaved, to form an integral pocket for receiving the index finger when the thumb of the operator is on the form for extracting the same. Support means is built into the tray, or casing, to maintain the writing platen horizontal and unyieldable, and the release tongue is hingedly connected to the writing platen at the forward end thereof. Thus the tongue and pins can be flexed downwardly nearly a quarter of an inch, as the form is extracted while the writing platen remains immovably horizontal for satisfactory writing thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 'TI-IE DRAWINGS FIG. ll is a plan view of the disposable, autographic register of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in section on line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation, from the dispensing end of the re gister;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the combined one-piece writing platen and registerpin release tongue of the invention',

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cover, or lid;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the partition; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tray, or flat-bottomed base of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIGS. l to 4, 30 is a disposable, autographic register constructed in accordance with the invention and formed by only three, one-piece, thin-walled, extrusions of plastic, or from equivalent, low cost material.

Register 30 includes the one-piece tray, or traylike casing, 3l, having a flat bottom, 32, upstanding sidewalls 33 and 34, and upstanding end walls 35 and 36, the end wall 36, at the dispensing end 37 of the register, being bowed outwardly to protect and enclose the projecting release tongue.

Register 30 is generally rectangular to conform to the configuration of a typical, and well known. type of pack 40 of continuous, multiple sets of register form-s, each consisting of an original sheet, 4l, a copysheet 42, a copy coating 43 of the N.C.R. type, or an interleaved carbon sheet (not shown) if desired. Each form 44 is foldably connected as at 4S, to successive forms, usually by fan folding, so that extraction of one form draws the next form into place. Each form includes an inscription area 46, with an unprinited gripping area 47 thereabove, the gripping area 47 being termed the leading edge portion herein. Each form 44 includes the conventional, laterally spaced register pin holes 48 and 49 in the area 47. The upper face of the leading edge portion 47 is designated 50 and the lower face thereof is designated 51.

The tray 31 includes a low rim 54, which is of reduced height at 55 at the dispensing end 37, and shaped to form a finger cut out 56 in the bowed end wall 36, to provide access to the release tongue. A plurality of longitudinally spaced laterally extending integral flanges, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62, are molded internally of tray 311, the inner edges of flanges 57, 5d, 59 and 60 serving to position the pack 40 and the flanges 6l and 62 constituting stops for the pack at the dispensing end. The upper edges, such as 63, of each of the flanges, and the upper edge 64 of the reduced height rim portion 55, if desired, provide a firm, unyieldable support in a horizontal plane for the partition element 68 of the register. Preferably the bottom wall 32 of tray 3l includes a transverse slot, or opening 66, for receiving used register forms under the pack 46 and also includes a keyhole opening 67, whereby the register may be suspended on a nail or hook. Preferably, also, integral upstanding pins 66 are provided on flanges 58 and 60 to register in holes 69 in partition 88 to position the same during assembly.

The second one-piece plastic element of register 30 is the one-piece, molded, cover, or lid, 7l, which includes a top wall 72 having inclined strips, 73, 74 and 75, and a horizontal transverse strip 76 which jointly define the writing opening 77. The integral, relatively wide, strip 76 includes a pair of register pin holes 76 and 79, each on an opposite side, and a central web 66 of reduced width, which forms a tear off edge 81 on the dispensing side and a finger cutout 82 for the index finger of an operator, on the writing opening side. Cover 71 includes a downwardly depending rim 83 containing latch holes, such as 64 and 65, for integral, flexible latches, or tongues, such as 66, in tray 31, the predetermined flexibility of the thin plastic walls permitting the cover to resiliently snap onto the casing.

The third one-piece plastic element of register 30 is the combined writing platen and release tongue partition 88, best shown in FIG. 4. The partition E@ includes the central writing platen 69, which underlies the exposed, and effective, writing area 46 of each form 44 successively positioned in the writing opening 77. The longitudinally extending peripheral edge portion of the partition 38 is firmly and uinyieldably supported on the flanges 57, 58, 59, 60, 6l, and 62 in a horizontal plane, so that clear and understandable inscriptions can be made on the register forms. The rearward end 901 of partition 8,8 inclines downwardly and terminates lin. a rounded bead 911, around which the continuous forms are drawn. lf a floating carbon paper is to be used, rather than the N.C.R. forms shown, a thin metal strip 92 is flexed and inserted in a pair of integral upstanding eye elements 93 and 94, so that the carbon is retained as the originals and copies aredrawn therepast.

The partition 88 is formed of plastic having predetermined self-supporting but resilient characteristics, and includes an integral release tongue 95 separated from writing platen 89 by axially extending, slitted apertures 96 but hingedly connected thereto at webs 97. The tongue 95 thus may be resiliently depressed on the hinge, or pivot, line 97, so as to depress a pair of integral, upstanding register pins 98 and 99 of substantial height, through a substantial arcuate path. The hinge line 97 is located proximate the dispensing end 37 of the register, between the register pins 98 and 99 and the effective portion 46 of the writing surface of the forms. Thus the writing surface is supported during writing on the samepartition that also has a flexible tongue to release and dispense the sheets. High impact styrene has been found to be a very satisfactory plastic for making the three one-piece elements 3l, 7l and 88 of register 30.

Tongue 97 is curved downwardly, centrally thereof as at 100 to form a finger, or thumb, recess to permit the leading edge 47 of each successive form to be gripped and extracted.

As shown in FIGS. 5--7, the cover, or lid, 101, could have a horizontal top 102 with a writing aperture and finger aperture 103 and tear off strip 104, there being no holes for the register pins 1 l0. The upstanding walls, or flanges, 106, of the flat bottom 107 support the partition 108 to make the writing platen unyieldable, and the tongue 109 may be shaped as shown.

What l claim is:

l. A disposable, autographic register for storing a pack of continuous, fan-folded register forms and dispensing the same individually and successively, saidregister comprising:

a generally rectangular traylike casing containing said pack;

la cover detachably mounted on said casing, said cover having a writing opening centrally on the top wall thereof, and having a pair of register pin holes proximate one end of said top wall; and a one-piece partition including a writing platen, detachably, but firmly, supported across the interior of said register to underlie said writing opening and an integral release tongue, having a pair of register pins, each opposite one of said register pin holes, said tongue being formed in the material of said platen and resiliently hinged thereto along a flexible connecting web, proximate the register pin end of said partition to release and dispense each suc- .cessive form and said tongue being defined in said platen by a pair of axially extending, slitted, apertures therein.

2. A disposable autographic register, as specified in claim 1 wherein said casing, cover and partition are each formed of thin, bendable, self-supporting plastic material, said plastic having sufficient resiliency to serve as a spring for said register pin tongue along an integral connecting web of said material at least until the pack of said forms in said casing is exhausted and the register ready for disposal. 3. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim 1, wherein the top wall of said cover includes an integral, relatively wide, transverse strip at the dispensing end thereof, containing each said register hole on an opposite side thereof, said strip including a finger cutout on the writing opening side, forming a reduced width web centrally of said strip;

said web having a tear off edge on the dispensing side thereof to permit gripping of the upper and lower leading edge portions of a form with the thumb and index finger for extraction and separation thereof.

4. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim 1, wherein said casing includes longitudinally spaced, laterally extending, internal, flanges adapted to engage the edges of said pack to position and retain the same and having upper edges supporting and engaging the longitudinally extending edge portions of said partition to prevent downward yielding of said writing laten.

5. A disposable autograp ic register as specified in claim 1,

wherein v said one-piece partition includes a pair of integral, upstanding eye elements at the end thereof opposite to said tongue, said eyes being adapted to retain a metal cross-strip when a floating carbon is used in said register and said end being inclined downwardly to a terminal rounded beaded edge,

6. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim '1,

wherein said casing includes a transverse slot in the bottom wall thereof for receiving used forms and includes a keyhole slot for suspending said register.

7. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim 1,

wherein said partition includes a pair of locating pins, arranged to register with said holes to locate said partition correctly during assembly of said register.

8. A disposable autographic register comprising:

a one-piece, molded, open tray having a flat bottom and a low rim formed by upstanding side and end walls, said tray being adapted to contain a pack of continuous, folded sets of register forms,

a one-piece, molded cover detachably mounted on said tray, said cover having a top wall with a large writing opening therein, said opening extending to proximate the dispensing end of saidcover to define a tear off strip in said wall and a finger grip opening, and

a one-piece, molded, combined writing platen and release tongue, said` writing platen underlying said writing opening and being firmly supported against downward movement on the rim of said tray, said release tongue being integral with said platen but separated therefrom by slits and having a pair of integral upstanding register pins of substantial height thereon;

said release tongue being resiliently hinged by integral webs to said platen, proximate the dispensing end of said cover for releasing each successive form and positively intercepting the next successive form.

9 An autographic register, formed of only three elements,

said register comprising:

a one-piece tray element,

a one-piece lid element, having a writing opening,

detachably mounted on said tray, and

a one-piece partition element, having a writing platen portion unyieldably supported across said tray beneath said writing opening and a release tongue portion, separated from said platen by slits therein and including a pair of register pins resiliently hinged to said platen, by an integral web of the materials of said platen, between said pins and said writing opening,

said tongue and pins being depressable to release each individual and successive register form for dispensing from said register.

10. A register as specified in claim 9, wherein all three of said elements are formed of thin walled plastic material of low cost, said material having a predetermined resiliency and thickness permitting said tray and lid to be connected by integral tongue latch and aperture means and permitting said integral release tongue to be flexed over a reasonable period of use without fracture. 

1. A disposable, autographic register for storing a pack of continuous, fan-folded register forms and dispensing the same individually and successively, said register comprising: a generally rectangular traylike casing containing said pack; a cover detachably mounted on said casing, said cover having a writing opening centrally on the top wall thereof, and having a pair of register pin holes proximate one end of said top wall; and a one-piece partition including a writing platen, detachably, but firmly, supported across the interior of said register to underlie said writing opening and an integral release tongue, having a pair of register pins, each opposite one of said register pin holes, said tongue being formed in the material of said platen and resiliently hinged thereto along a flexible connecting web, proximate the rEgister pin end of said partition to release and dispense each successive form and said tongue being defined in said platen by a pair of axially extending, slitted, apertures therein.
 2. A disposable autographic register, as specified in claim 1 wherein said casing, cover and partition are each formed of thin, bendable, self-supporting plastic material, said plastic having sufficient resiliency to serve as a spring for said register pin tongue along an integral connecting web of said material at least until the pack of said forms in said casing is exhausted and the register ready for disposal.
 3. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim 1, wherein the top wall of said cover includes an integral, relatively wide, transverse strip at the dispensing end thereof, containing each said register hole on an opposite side thereof, said strip including a finger cutout on the writing opening side, forming a reduced width web centrally of said strip; said web having a tear off edge on the dispensing side thereof to permit gripping of the upper and lower leading edge portions of a form with the thumb and index finger for extraction and separation thereof.
 4. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim 1, wherein said casing includes longitudinally spaced, laterally extending, internal, flanges adapted to engage the edges of said pack to position and retain the same and having upper edges supporting and engaging the longitudinally extending edge portions of said partition to prevent downward yielding of said writing platen.
 5. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim 1, wherein said one-piece partition includes a pair of integral, upstanding eye elements at the end thereof opposite to said tongue, said eyes being adapted to retain a metal cross-strip when a floating carbon is used in said register and said end being inclined downwardly to a terminal rounded beaded edge.
 6. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim 1, wherein said casing includes a transverse slot in the bottom wall thereof for receiving used forms and includes a keyhole slot for suspending said register.
 7. A disposable autographic register as specified in claim 1, wherein said partition includes a pair of locating pins, arranged to register with said holes to locate said partition correctly during assembly of said register.
 8. A disposable autographic register comprising: a one-piece, molded, open tray having a flat bottom and a low rim formed by upstanding side and end walls, said tray being adapted to contain a pack of continuous, folded sets of register forms, a one-piece, molded cover detachably mounted on said tray, said cover having a top wall with a large writing opening therein, said opening extending to proximate the dispensing end of said cover to define a tear off strip in said wall and a finger grip opening, and a one-piece, molded, combined writing platen and release tongue, said writing platen underlying said writing opening and being firmly supported against downward movement on the rim of said tray, said release tongue being integral with said platen but separated therefrom by slits and having a pair of integral upstanding register pins of substantial height thereon; said release tongue being resiliently hinged by integral webs to said platen, proximate the dispensing end of said cover for releasing each successive form and positively intercepting the next successive form. 9 An autographic register, formed of only three elements, said register comprising: a one-piece tray element, a one-piece lid element, having a writing opening, detachably mounted on said tray, and a one-piece partition element, having a writing platen portion unyieldably supported across said tray beneath said writing opening and a release tongue portion, separated from said platen by slits therein and including a pair of register pins resiliently hinged to said platen, by an integRal web of the materials of said platen, between said pins and said writing opening, said tongue and pins being depressable to release each individual and successive register form for dispensing from said register.
 10. A register as specified in claim 9, wherein all three of said elements are formed of thin walled plastic material of low cost, said material having a predetermined resiliency and thickness permitting said tray and lid to be connected by integral tongue latch and aperture means and permitting said integral release tongue to be flexed over a reasonable period of use without fracture. 